Chapter 5 - Sent Away

Olima hailed a taxi and entered. She paid the driver who drove her back to the residential estate where billionaires and high-profile families live. Arriving at the estate gate, she paid the cab driver for her ride, rushed through the gate, and ran home.

The estate security men wondered what chased Olima. They knew her as a beautiful young lady who used her legs to run errands after her parents passed away.

Olima approached the mansion black gate and banged on it. Nathan approached from within, pulled the gate open, and stared at Olima’s face.

"Why are you banging on the gate like that?" Nathan asked. He was a young man and, although he liked Olima, he could not cross boundaries; he knew she was his former boss's daughter.

"I'm sorry, Nathan. Please open the gate," Olima replied. Nathan stepped aside and opened the gate for her.

Olima rushed toward the house. The luxurious mansion was painted white, with flowering plants decorating the front. She approached the entrance to the living room, knocked, opened the door, and walked into the parlor.

Mia was still in the living room watching television. As Olima stepped in, her eyes fell on the wall clock; it was 8:30 PM.

Without being told, Olima rushed into the kitchen to prepare dinner. She knew her stepmother would soon step out and flog her for wasting time at the market and arriving home late.

Olima took out the vegetables she bought and washed them. She unhooked the dried fish and soaked them in a bowl. She cut the meat into small pieces and washed them. She switched on the gas cooker and started cooking the meat.

With every second that ticked on the clock, Olima sweated as she cooked the soup. She jumped when she heard the kitchen door slide open.

"What took you so long? I'm hungry," Mia said. She walked into the kitchen and approached Olima, who was stirring and tasting the soup to see if it needed more Maggi or salt.

"Taste it. Is it okay?" Olima asked, extending the spoon to Mia.

Mia did not know how to cook. She opened her palm, and Olima dropped a few drops of soup into it. Mia wanted her mother to discipline Olima for making her hungry. "It lacks salt. Add more salt," she said.

Olima frowned and tasted the soup again. "It's okay like this."

Mia picked up the salt container, opened it, and poured more salt into the soup.

"Mia!" Olima screamed.

Just then, Gina walked into the kitchen. Olima shut the pot and moved it from the gas cooker. She still had to prepare the semovita.

"What is going on here? It is after 9 PM, and you are still cooking?" Gina questioned.

"No, Ma, I am almost through," Olima replied. She poured water into a pot to start the semo.

Gina questioned Mia, "And you, what are you doing there?"

"Mom, I'm hungry," Mia replied. She stomped her feet and walked to her mother.

"Go and sit at the dining table. The soup will be ready soon," Gina stated.

Mia frowned. "Olima, be quick, please."

"Okay," Olima replied as her stepmother and stepsister left the kitchen.

Olima sighed, "Phew!" When she finished the semo, she used her gown to wipe her forehead. She served the semo and dished the soup into plates. She carried the trays to the dining room.

Mia sat across from her mother at the dining table. Gina adjusted her seat to start eating. Olima walked to the table and set down the tray. She served her stepmother first, then Mia.

The dining table was silent. Olima went to the kitchen for bowls of water so they could wash their hands. She returned to the dining room to serve them. Gina washed her hands, followed by Mia.

Olima asked, "Ma, do you need anything else?"

Gina frowned. "No. Go and eat your food."

Just then, Mia gasped, "Mom!"

"What is it?" Gina glared at her daughter. Olima paused and stared at Mia.

"The soup is bitter," Mia said.

Gina frowned. She dipped her right finger into the soup to taste it. Her face contorted. She stood up and questioned, "Olima, what is the meaning of this?"

Gina moved from her seat. Olima took two steps back. "Ma... I..."

"You what? Did you taste the soup at all?" Gina roared.

Olima shuddered. "Ma, I did. Mia added more salt to the soup and..."

[Slap] Gina landed a resounding slap on Olima’s left cheek. She dragged Olima to the table and forced her to taste the soup. "Taste it! Eat it and see how bitter it is. Did Mia help you cook it?"

Olima cried and tried to explain. [Slap] Gina landed another slap and started beating Olima. Mia smiled.

"You witch! You killed your parents, and now you want to kill my daughter and me too!" Gina yelled.

"Please, Mother, I am innocent. I didn't spoil the soup," Olima begged.

"Shut up! Get out! I don't want to see your face in this house again. Nathan!"

"Yes, Madam." Nathan rushed into the mansion.

Gina commanded, "Throw this witch out!"

"No! Mother, please! I didn't spoil the soup! Mia did!" Olima tried to beg, but another slap landed across her cheek.

"One more word and I will have you arrested. Nathan, throw her outside and never let her into this mansion again."

Nathan grabbed Olima by her left arm and dragged her out. He threw her out of the mansion and onto the street at 10 PM.

Mia smiled. Gina was happy that the mansion now belonged to her, after killing Olima’s parents to acquire the company and assets.